diff --git a/protocol/connections/engine.go b/protocol/connections/engine.go
index e34ec7c..0067384 100644
--- a/protocol/connections/engine.go
+++ b/protocol/connections/engine.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	model3 "cwtch.im/cwtch/protocol/model"
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/tapir"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/tapir/applications"
 	"git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/tapir/networks/tor"
@@ -593,6 +594,7 @@ func (e *engine) sendPeerMessage(handle string, message model3.PeerMessage) erro
 		if ok {
 			return peerApp.SendMessage(message)
 		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not find peer app to send message to: %v", handle)
 	}
 	log.Errorf("could not send peer message: %v", err)
 	return err